November 5, 2012
Israel upgrades Iron Dome system
Follow JewishJournal.com on 
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, middle, and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, right, visit the Iron Dome defense system launch site in Ashkelon on Aug. 1. Photo by Mark Wilson/Reuters
Israel has upgraded the operational capability of the Iron Dome anti-missile system.
The Ministry of Defense on Sunday announced that its Defense Research and Development Division successfully completed trials testing the upgraded operational capability of Iron Dome.
The Defense Ministry is set to transfer an additional Iron Dome battery to the Israel Air Force, Israel's fifth operational battery, the Defense Ministry spokesman said.
The series of previously scheduled trials are part of a wider program to develop and upgrade the Iron Dome system.
"The series of trials are designed to expand and improve the operational capabilities as we face an unprecedented array of threats. The most recent trial – which was completed successfully - marks a significant upgrade in the operational capabilities of the Iron Dome system," according to a Defense Department statement.
